Photo By Alun Thomas | Future Soldiers being recognized for enlisting in the U.S. Army, raise their right...... read more read more
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale recognized more than 120 future service members of all military branches, at the 2018 Induction Ceremony, April 28, Calvary Community Church.
The event was the second induction ceremony held by the city and applauded high school seniors from Glendale, most of whom are set to depart for basic training in their respective branches at the conclusion of the school year.
The event was organized by city officials from Glendale and personnel from the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion, including Lt. Col. David Clukey, battalion commander, who spoke about the Future Soldiers being recognized and their forthcoming commitment to their nation.
“It's my great honor to recognize the 60 Future Soldiers and other future members of our Armed Forces who are assembled in front of us here today,” Clukey said. “You, your families, and your friends should be proud of all that you have accomplished and more importantly for what you are about to embark upon as you join the U.S. Army,” Clukey said.
The vast array of jobs and opportunities available to these Future Soldiers are not easily found elsewhere, Clukey said, with the long-term benefits invaluable.
“In this room, I see over 100 high school seniors who are qualified and eager to serve their country. I see 60 Future Army Soldiers enlisting in 30 unique Military Occupational Specialties out of the Army’s inventory of over 150 jobs,” he added. “I see 60 extraordinary opportunities to grow as an individual, as a Soldier, and as a leader.
Clukey reminded the 60 Future Soldiers they will play an important role in determining the Army’s future in the decades ahead and used guidance from an article by veteran Richard Jenkins titled ‘On Being a Veteran.’
“Your decision to serve your country is as impressive as it is important. You all have worked incredibly hard to get to this point, knowing full well the challenges that lie ahead,” he said. “You will mature as individuals and as members of the Army team. Take pride in knowing your individual contributions will help shape the Army of tomorrow.”
The importance of being a veteran should also be a factor in their willingness to enlist, Clukey continued.
“You should find comfort and great pride in knowing that for the rest of your lives you will be a part of the small percentage of our US population who served. You will be veterans,” Clukey explained.
“What does it mean to be a veteran? In addition to the fact that you are more likely to vote, volunteer, and be involved and supportive of your communities, there are five characteristics of veterans that you should strive to embody and that your military training and experience will reinforce:
Veterans can learn anything on the fly. Situations, resource limitations in some environments, and time constraints imposed by, school, training event or mission, make veterans resourceful. In many cases you will be immersed in controlled training environments where you may be sleep deprived, physically exhausted and even hungry, yet you will still need to study course materials, pass your tests to standard or complete the mission. Because of this, you will develop the capability to learn things quickly.
Punctuality. It is simple; if you’re not 15 minutes early then you are late. People that have never served in the military have likely never been corrected in a proper military fashion for not being prompt. All you future service members will soon learn what I mean by this in your respective basic training courses. Additionally, veterans understand how valuable our supervisor’s time is and do everything in our power to not waste it. Which brings me to …
Courtesy to superior officers. No one knows about chain of command the way a veteran does. Even if we don’t agree with what you have to say or the task that has been given to us we will execute it without question.
Loyalty. If you give a veteran a chance while giving them respect for what they have done you will likely have a lifelong ally. Understand that when there was work to be done for our nation less than half of one percent of the population said, I will go. This ideology does not stop when that uniform is hung up. This is an ethos that is applied to family, work, friends and life in general.
Work ethic. A veteran is someone who will shoulder more than their share of the task, whatever it may be, 100% and then some. They are not unaccustomed to 15-18 hour workdays and at times bad food. When a task needs to be done, it gets done. If not, there is an understanding of immediate consequence.”
Clukey urged the inductees to put the utmost effort into their time in uniform and be an active part of any team.
“I challenge you to step up to the occasion, put your best foot forward, and serve our nation selflessly, and always remember it is not about the individual, but it is about each and every individuals contributions to the team effort,” he concluded.
Also thanking the seniors was Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, who praised the decision of those being honored to join the military.
“The high school students here today are soon to be part of the one percent standing on the front line, protecting the freedom of our world,” Weiers said. “For that reason we’re here to honor that courageous decision. That decision is probably the best one you’ve made in your lives so far.”
It will set them on a career path with unlimited opportunities, Weiers said.
“You may have the chance to serve in a foreign nation, save someone’s life or earn a master’s degree - but the one certain thing is you will face challenges,” he added.
Weiers then presented a special challenge coin, which was given to each person being honored, as part of his tribute to the future service members.
“The most important part of this coin is where it says ‘the first to say thank you,’” Weiers said. “That’s what we’re here tonight to do, thank you for the decision you’ve made to serve and protect our country.”
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2018 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 274928 |
| Location: | GLENDALE, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 330 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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